Downlighters that melt

[forestfan]

I am new to this forum so Hello all.

As the subject says I have some down lighters underneath my kitchen cupboards that were fitted presumably 2 years ago when the kitchen was updated by the previous owner of the house, the actual surround that holds the bulb a Gu10 10v has melted become brittle and now some of them do not work at all, my question is what would have caused this to melt the material to get so hot ....I guess this is not too safe and needs some professional to look in to this it is always better to be forewarned.

Appreciate comments and suggestions.

 

[Cremeegg]

GU10 fittings are 240V and do get very hot but I've not seen any for under cupboard lights.

More commonly they are G4 two pin fittings for the 12volt capsules that are either 10W or 20W. They will get hot but are OK when metal fittings are used.

Or you have flourescent lights either strips or compact ones - both run cooler than the G4's. Or you have LED's which run cold.

A picture posted would be a great help in us letting you know whats wrong.

 

[dullSpark]

I think the problem is that down-lighters of every kind get very hot, that is your heat source. I don't think it is a very good idea to have down lighters anywhere, let alone under a cupboard.

How about replacing them with some lovely T4 fluorescent lamps, cheaper to run, last longer and don't get so hot!

 

[Cremeegg]

Downlighters of every kind do not get hot. LED's run cold. CFL's run warm. I've installed hundreds of 12v 10W and 20W G4 fittings over the last decade without any complaints or cupboards bursting into flames!

 

[dullSpark]

Opps, I meant to say almost every kind, I'm sitting under two warm Megaman 9watts at the moment.

 

[forestfan]

Cremeegg thanks for your prompt reply.

My mistake G4 10W would help if I get some basic info right

They are fitted into a round recesses within the cupboard base, I will take a picture later, but I would need to change them, they are always hot and its costing a small fortune in bulbs.

 

[dullSpark]

G4 fittings are normally surface mounted, I think that these photographs are going to help, after all we do like photographs!

 

[Cremeegg]

Personally because G4 10W and 20W run hot I always surface mount them to allow maximum heat dispersion. Never liked the idea of those semi-recessed ones. I've had recent problems with some poor quality G4 fittings from a well known wholesaler where the capsule pins weren't making good contact with the ceramic holder giving the appearance of capsules blowing. Now using the more expensive ones they used to sell - no problems - get what you pay for.

 

[forestfan]

Thanks for the replys so far, the pictures for some reason are out of focus but you get the idea they are recessed withinthe cupboard with a metal holder with a screw on plasic cover.
The grey plastic/ceramic is now brown on 50% of them, 1 side of the kitchen has 4 down lighters the otherside has a run of 5 down lighters their is what might be the manufacturer H tec.

http://www.fotothing.com/forestfan/

 

[tim west]

The dichroic reflector in these type of lamp is designed to reflect the visible light forwards (cooler beam) but the IR content (heat) is passed through out the back of the lamp, this is why they should have both adequate ventilation behind and adequate lampholders that can take the heat generated.

 

[forestfan]

tim west

Basicly they are not a correct fitting, could I ask for a particular fitting I can ask for that could go back in the recess and re fitted by an electrician

 

[RF Lighting]

The dichroic reflector in these type of lamp is designed to reflect the visible light forwards (cooler beam) but the IR content (heat) is passed through out the back of the lamp, this is why they should have both adequate ventilation behind and adequate lampholders that can take the heat generated.

Except G4 under cupboard lights don't have dichroic reflectors


The cheaper fittings do have a habit of failing, and it should be a simple case of replacing the fittings.



http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_In.../Kitchen_Lighting/Cabinet_Lights_1/index.html

 

[tim west]

The OP said Gu10 not G4?

 

[RF Lighting]

My mistake G4 10W

 

[tim west]

doesnt matter whether GU10 or GU4 still dichroic reflectors